Frank Gundlach is the company's new Head of International Markets
Volkswagen Truck & Bus’s internationalization efforts have gained even greater momentum in 2024. Since the start of its operations in Argentina in May, the assembler's new factory has achieved positive results and tripled the volume of sales destined to the country. VWTB is currently the brand with the highest growth rate registered in the region during last year. In addition to these encouraging numbers, VW Truck & Bus is celebrating the historical milestone of having shipped 45 thousand vehicles to Argentina throughout its history and is starting the year off with a renewed International Markets management.
“VWTB remains firm in its commitment to internationalization and is already reaping the benefits of the strategy adopted last year. With more than 25 years of experience in the Argentinian market, VWTB’s initial goal when inaugurating the new manufacturing unit was to accelerate the pace of local sales - a target that the company was able to achieve. These results demonstrate the trust VW Truck & Bus’s customers place in the brand and this market’s potential. We ended 2024 with significant results that give us reasons to celebrate and motivate us to continue building on this success," stated Roberto Cortes, president and CEO of Volkswagen Truck & Bus.
In 2024, approximately 1,800 vehicles were sold in the country, a significant increase compared to the sales of buses and trucks registered in 2023 at a total of 696 units. These results were achieved thanks to the success of vehicles produced at the assembler's plant in Córdoba, such as the Constellation 17.280 and the Delivery 11.180 and 9.170 – a trio that leads the brand's sales.
Another highlight in Argentina was a 46% increase in the export of extra-heavy VW vehicles, a volume dominated mainly by the Meteor 28.460 and Constellation 33.460 models. The Volksbus 15.190, which is also produced in the country, stands out among the available models in VWTB’s line of buses. In 2024, VW Truck & Bus reached the historical milestone of 45,000 vehicles shipped to Argentina, where the brand is also represented by 12 dealerships and 17 points of sale that cover the country’s entire territory.
Renewed leadership
In order to continue this expansion process and further strengthen the brand's presence in other countries, Volkswagen Truck & Bus has appointed Frank Gundlach as the company’s new International Markets Director. With extensive experience in the automotive sector and having until recently served as Volkswagen Truck & Bus’s general director in Mexico, Gundlach will be tasked with leading the team responsible for exports, seeking to establish strategic partnerships and expanding VW's international presence. The executive is now part of the commercial area, a structure led by Ricardo Alouche, vice president of Sales, Marketing and After-Sales of the automaker.
"The internationalization of VWTB’s brand is one of our main pillars of growth, and we have been investing more and more in this area. Frank's arrival demonstrates our commitment to expanding our business in foreign markets and I am sure that together we will be able to reach new heights. In the midst of this renewal, we can only thank Leonardo Soloaga, who recently decided to retire, for his years of dedication to consolidating our brand in international markets. During this new phase, we will seek to expand our operations even further", added Roberto Cortes.
About VW Truck & Bus
With more than 1.1 million vehicles produced, VWTB is present in more than 30 countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The company also has plants located in Resende (RJ), Brazil, and Querétaro, Mexico, as well as partnerships in São Paulo (SP), aimed at the production of engines, and vehicles in Pinetown, South Africa, and Manila, in the Philippines. There are over 200 VWTB service centers available worldwide.